Eagle IslandState Park

Bordered on the north and south by the Boise River, Eagle Island features a swimming beach, grassy picnic area and more than five miles of trails for horseback riding, hiking or walking your dog. The waterslide opens Memorial Day weekend and is open until Labor Day

Acres

Elevation

Activities

Group Use

There are two large picnic shelters and two smaller shelters available within the park for group use. Call the park to reserve (939-0696)

Amenities

Eagle Island has a brand new Visitor's Center and gifts and souvenirs are now available for purchase within. Winter hours for the Visitor's Center vary, please contact the park for more detailed information. There are also picnic tables, charcoal grills, restroom Facilities, playground, life jacket loaner station, and an air compressor (.50 cents, quarters only).

Rentals

Paddleboard rentals are available within the park at the visitor center

Pets

Yes - on a leash. When your dog visits Eagle Island please click on this link for rules.

Open/Hours

Park: Year-round from sunrise to sunset

Office hours: Please call the park office at 208-939-0696

WiFi

Yes, in the west day use area

GPS

Longitude -116.384848 Latitude 43.6868308

Eagle Island is a great spot for a family reunion or picnic. The waterslide is open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. An 18-hole disc golf course is available.

Eagle Island State Park is a 545 park acre park west of Boise. The park is bordered by the North and South channels of the Boise River. The park features a popular swimming beach, grassy picnic area and more than five miles of trails for horseback riding, hiking or walking your dog.

Eagle Island History

Eagle Island State Park was first purchased by the State in 1929. Prior to that, it was used for agricultural purposes, primarily as grazing land for cattle and hogs. Other agricultural crops have included grain, hay and various vegetable crops. The site was operated as a penitentiary farm until 1977. In 1983, the State developed the site as a park to include a water slide, picnic areas, equestrian center, restrooms, concessions, swimming areas and trails.

Today, the 545-acre park is still predominantly rural in character. Located in the southwest corner of Idaho, it is bordered on the north and south by the Boise River with agricultural land to the east and west. Urban and suburban uses have also developed around the park in recent years with a golf course to the east and residential neighborhoods north and south across the two channels of the Boise River. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game operates a fish hatchery to the west of Eagle Island State Park.

The park is heavily used in the summers by visitors swimming in the lake and using the water slide, picnicking, playing disc golf, walking on the many trails, and engaging in other types of passive, informal recreation. There are also a number of scheduled events at the park, drawing large numbers of visitors to the site. Many groups use the east shelter for weddings, receptions, birthdays and other family events. The rest of the year, the park is currently used for fishing, hiking, and horseback riding.

History Timeline

1929 – State Board of Prisons purchases Eagle Island property for use as a prison honor farm.

1965 – Idaho State Legislature enacted enabling legislation creating the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR). Slaughter house is built at Eagle Island Prison Farm.

1977 – Idaho Department of Corrections discontinues operation of Eagle Island Honor Farm and turns over the property to the Idaho Department of Lands. Idaho Department of Lands Board votes to set aside Eagle Island property for development as a State Park.

1980 – IDPR Board approves Eagle Island State Park General Development Plan and hires first manager.

June 25, 1983 – Eagle Island State Park is dedicated. Approximately 26 acres developed with waterslide, picnic areas, restrooms, concession building and swimming area.

Looking to the Future at Eagle Island State Park

Exciting changes will be taking place at Eagle Island State Park. Once construction begins following the park’s master plan, the layout of the park will change and recreation opportunities within the park will be expanded. Throughout each construction phase the park will continue to be accessible to the public, although the trail system will change with each phase.

Download Eagle Island Maps

The Idaho State Parks Passport: Your State Park Saving Option!

The Idaho State Parks Passport allows Idaho motorists to support Idaho State Parks by agreeing to pay an additional $10 in conjunction with renewing their license plates through the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and County Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Offices. The Passport sticker allows participating Idahoans unlimited daytime entry to Idaho state parks, IDPR operated recreation areas and boating access sites. The Passport will also provide nightly discounts on camping.

When you pay the additional $10 for your passport, you'll receive a sticker that will adhere to your motor vehicle. The sticker will provide unlimited access to all 30 state parks for the entire registration year.

Out-of-state guests will have a savings option too, with the purchase of an Idaho State Park Motor Vehicle Entry Fee (MVEF) Annual.

What Will $10 Buy You and Your Family?

Admittance to all 30 Idaho State Parks for a year

Hundreds of miles of hiking, cycling, mountain biking and Nordic trails

Your favorite boat launches

Countless historical and cultural sites within your state parks

Good for Idaho, Good for Idahoans!

Idaho‘s State Park Passport is simply a sustainable way to pay for the maintenance and management of Idaho’s 30 cherished state parks. For those Idahoans who choose to participate in the program, the Idaho State Parks Passport sticker will replace the $5 per motor vehicle entry fee currently in place at state parks while also providing nightly discounts on camping.

Out of State Guests

Our out-of-state guests have savings options too! You can purchase a $40 Motor Vehicle Entry Fee (MVEF) Annual and receive access to all of Idaho's State Parks and nightly discounts on camping. MVEF Annuals can be purchased at any Idaho State Park and online.

Acres

Elevation

Activities

Group Use

There are two large picnic shelters and two smaller shelters available within the park for group use. Call the park to reserve (939-0696)

Amenities

Eagle Island has a brand new Visitor's Center and gifts and souvenirs are now available for purchase within. Winter hours for the Visitor's Center vary, please contact the park for more detailed information. There are also picnic tables, charcoal grills, restroom Facilities, playground, life jacket loaner station, and an air compressor (.50 cents, quarters only).

Rentals

Paddleboard rentals are available within the park at the visitor center

Pets

Yes - on a leash. When your dog visits Eagle Island please click on this link for rules.

Open/Hours

Park: Year-round from sunrise to sunset

Office hours: Please call the park office at 208-939-0696

WiFi

Yes, in the west day use area

GPS

Longitude -116.384848 Latitude 43.6868308

Eagle Island is a great spot for a family reunion or picnic. The waterslide is open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. An 18-hole disc golf course is available.

Eagle Island State Park is a 545 park acre park west of Boise. The park is bordered by the North and South channels of the Boise River. The park features a popular swimming beach, grassy picnic area and more than five miles of trails for horseback riding, hiking or walking your dog.

Eagle Island History

Eagle Island State Park was first purchased by the State in 1929. Prior to that, it was used for agricultural purposes, primarily as grazing land for cattle and hogs. Other agricultural crops have included grain, hay and various vegetable crops. The site was operated as a penitentiary farm until 1977. In 1983, the State developed the site as a park to include a water slide, picnic areas, equestrian center, restrooms, concessions, swimming areas and trails.

Today, the 545-acre park is still predominantly rural in character. Located in the southwest corner of Idaho, it is bordered on the north and south by the Boise River with agricultural land to the east and west. Urban and suburban uses have also developed around the park in recent years with a golf course to the east and residential neighborhoods north and south across the two channels of the Boise River. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game operates a fish hatchery to the west of Eagle Island State Park.

The park is heavily used in the summers by visitors swimming in the lake and using the water slide, picnicking, playing disc golf, walking on the many trails, and engaging in other types of passive, informal recreation. There are also a number of scheduled events at the park, drawing large numbers of visitors to the site. Many groups use the east shelter for weddings, receptions, birthdays and other family events. The rest of the year, the park is currently used for fishing, hiking, and horseback riding.

History Timeline

1929 – State Board of Prisons purchases Eagle Island property for use as a prison honor farm.

1965 – Idaho State Legislature enacted enabling legislation creating the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR). Slaughter house is built at Eagle Island Prison Farm.

1977 – Idaho Department of Corrections discontinues operation of Eagle Island Honor Farm and turns over the property to the Idaho Department of Lands. Idaho Department of Lands Board votes to set aside Eagle Island property for development as a State Park.

1980 – IDPR Board approves Eagle Island State Park General Development Plan and hires first manager.

June 25, 1983 – Eagle Island State Park is dedicated. Approximately 26 acres developed with waterslide, picnic areas, restrooms, concession building and swimming area.

Looking to the Future at Eagle Island State Park

Exciting changes will be taking place at Eagle Island State Park. Once construction begins following the park’s master plan, the layout of the park will change and recreation opportunities within the park will be expanded. Throughout each construction phase the park will continue to be accessible to the public, although the trail system will change with each phase.

Download Eagle Island Maps

The Idaho State Parks Passport: Your State Park Saving Option!

The Idaho State Parks Passport allows Idaho motorists to support Idaho State Parks by agreeing to pay an additional $10 in conjunction with renewing their license plates through the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and County Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Offices. The Passport sticker allows participating Idahoans unlimited daytime entry to Idaho state parks, IDPR operated recreation areas and boating access sites. The Passport will also provide nightly discounts on camping.

When you pay the additional $10 for your passport, you'll receive a sticker that will adhere to your motor vehicle. The sticker will provide unlimited access to all 30 state parks for the entire registration year.

Out-of-state guests will have a savings option too, with the purchase of an Idaho State Park Motor Vehicle Entry Fee (MVEF) Annual.

What Will $10 Buy You and Your Family?

Admittance to all 30 Idaho State Parks for a year

Hundreds of miles of hiking, cycling, mountain biking and Nordic trails

Your favorite boat launches

Countless historical and cultural sites within your state parks

Good for Idaho, Good for Idahoans!

Idaho‘s State Park Passport is simply a sustainable way to pay for the maintenance and management of Idaho’s 30 cherished state parks. For those Idahoans who choose to participate in the program, the Idaho State Parks Passport sticker will replace the $5 per motor vehicle entry fee currently in place at state parks while also providing nightly discounts on camping.

Out of State Guests

Our out-of-state guests have savings options too! You can purchase a $40 Motor Vehicle Entry Fee (MVEF) Annual and receive access to all of Idaho's State Parks and nightly discounts on camping. MVEF Annuals can be purchased at any Idaho State Park and online.